My weekly standards include: a whole chicken - usually 98 cents a pound - unless I can find chicken breasts for the same price. I often roast two chickens at the same time. It is either the meal for a number of days, or I freeze part of it. On Monday & Tuesday - there is usually discounted meat. But, I have to watch to see if it is good. It is ready to out-date in a day or two. Frozen veggies when local is out of season - exception: leaf lettuce and perhaps something to to it with such as radishes or bell pepper.

Linda - North East Indiana, USA `Goal to build myself up to reach 1,000 fitness minutes per month.

For months, my main dinner shopping list for the month was: a bag of potatoes (two if there was a sale), one package of chicken or turkey franks (2 pkgs whenever there was a sale), one package of bacon (when there was a sale), one package of chicken thighs (always cheap here), two 28oz cans of crushed tomatoes (or tomato puree, or peeled tomatoes) -- if they were a good price (four cans if there was a good sale), 3 bags of carrots (almost always on sale for three), and a large bag of mixed, dried beans (two if they ran a sale -- a rare occasion for dried beans).

I already had a stockpile of rice and macaroni, as well as spices and condiments, which I used sparingly and it took a few months to deplete.. I used the chicken bones to make stock, and I went through almost all the boxes of fruit tea bags that I'd previously bought from the 99-cent stores to make my own drinks in bottles (for work and home).

I managed to get a month's worth of dinners every month for quite a while -- without food stamps or public assistance.

My financial situation is getting better, so now I can spend a little more on groceries, but that's still my basic food shopping list.

Keep in mind that Kraft is promoting their own products. Can you go a week without Kraft or the store brand equivalents?

I would consider the "Spaghetti with Zesty Bolognese" but do some subbing. The spaghetti would be whole grain. I would have to check the quantity - it is 2 oz per person. If that is the only starch, that would be okay. The Neufachatel Cheese is naturally lower in fat. I don't think it has any surprises on the label. I would go very light on a sprinkling of parm. In stead of the salad dressing, I would use some cider vinegar and possibly eliminate the oil, unless the meat is super lean. I have some Italian herb seasoning in the cabinet to add. The problem with the menu - I would want some fresh salad on the side, or perhaps some broccoli. I would end up with a second bag of groceries.

Edited by: 60SIXTY at: 5/22/2011 (08:17)

Linda - North East Indiana, USA `Goal to build myself up to reach 1,000 fitness minutes per month.

my PCP has a diet that works for those who will do it. It's "no face" meat etc. No dairy, no sugar, no beef, no oils, no nuts - basically all fruits and veggies ONLY ! I found it hard and Sparks nutrician guide was easier for me to handle.

I looked at the shopping list. The only thing I would even consider buying are the first 6 ingredients on the list. All the rest is processed food, some with extremely harmful ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. Whenever fat is cut from an ingredient list starch or sugar are usually added. I'd add a 2 lb. bag of brown rice and a 2 lb. bag of dry beans plus lots of green leafy veggies which are completely absent from this list (from garden or locally grown) and I could make a whole week's worth of very healthy meals.

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